The two protagonists/heroes
in the story are Esther and Mordecai. While Mordecai leaves an impression of being rigid, unbending (even literally) and as a somewhat difficult character, the reader gets to know Esther as a completely different personality. The author depicts her in the various stages of her life and personal development. Her description is characterised by the "reversal motif,” which is typical for the entire story. Esther is the only character of whom the readers get to see a sense of development in her personality. Initially she appears to be passive and docile. Her life is being determined by others: Mordecai adopts her as a daughter; she is taken into custody by Hegai in the girls’ quarters; and after a year she is brought to the king who takes her as his wife. It is clear that Esther's own will and opinion did not play a role and she probably could not escape the course of events. The image of passive meekness is abruptly reversed by the confrontation with the danger of her own life and that of her people. Her decision to act as a mediator changes her into a woman who gives orders (Esther 4:15–16). Esther becomes a woman who uses her charms, gifts and opportunities in an active and clever way. Her personal development and willingness to play a (significant) role in the deliverance of her people show how God can work in a person's life.1
1 Now in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces,